as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of preliminary
Melina Khan, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Coincidentally, WisDOT's preliminary support comes as yet another large, mixed-use development is expected to be added to Pabst Farms in the months ahead, Tom Daykin reports.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
Based on preliminary information, the wing of the departing jet collided with the fuselage of the arriving jet, according to Delta.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Coincidentally, WisDOT's preliminary support comes as yet another large, mixed-use development is expected to be added to Pabst Farms in the months ahead, Tom Daykin reports.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
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These are showcased alongside engravers’ prints and unpublished documents, such as preparatory Polaroids and test prints annotated by Avedon.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
There are now some preparatory tools that were not previously available.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Venezuelan regime has condemned the deployment as an act of coercion and a potential prelude to intervention.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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What wasn’t revealed at the time, however, was how this was a prelude to the Netflix special early next year.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through July 15, 2025.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Louie, a 31-year-old former TV reporter, and Velovic, a 25-year-old who works in tech sales, both had strong introductory confessionals as the boats were coming to the marooning.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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